aquarium algae Archives

The 4 Things Aquarium Algae Needs to Grow

New aquarium hobbyists are often at a loss regarding what to do in the event of an aquarium algae bloom. There are four main things that algae needs to grow and if you are able to control these factors, you may be able to …

Aquarium algae needs 4 elements to grow and multiply. Learn how to control these factors and you may be able to avoid problems with aquarium algae growth in your tank.

New aquarium hobbyists are often at a loss regarding what to do in the event of an aquarium algae bloom. Algae blooms and prolonged, excessive growth of aquarium algae are problems that many hobbyists experience at one time or another, so don’t be too discouraged if you fall victim to algae growth. In order to prevent and properly deal with the problem of aquarium algae it is wise to learn the basics about these organisms. When you are equipped with knowledge about how aquarium algae grow, you will be able to alter the conditions in your tank to make it a less desirable environment for algae. There are four main things that algae needs to grow and if you are able to control these factors, you may be able to avoid problems with algae growth in your tank.

Adequate Light

Algae are autotrophic organisms – this means that they require light in order to grow and function. Like plants, algae go through the process of photosynthesis in order to produce complex organic compounds such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Though algae functions in a way similar to many plants, it does not possess plant-like leaves or roots through which to absorb light. Rather, algae are photoautotrophic organisms which derive energy directly from sunlight (or aquarium lighting). This is why aquariums that receive a great deal of direct sunlight are likely to experience problems with algae growth – the more lighting the tank receives, the better an environment it becomes for algae. In order to prevent excessive algae growth in your tank, position your aquarium somewhere it will not be exposed to sunlight. You should also only keep the lights on in your tank for a maximum of 12 hours. Most aquariums can get by on as little as 8 hours of light but planted tanks generally require between 10 and 12 hours of light in order to facilitate healthy plant growth.

Available Nutrients

The two nutrients that are most often correlated with algae growth are nitrogen and phosphorus. In addition to these nutrients, however, algae growth can also be affected by carbon and silica. The amount of organic waste and debris in your tank is directly related to the amount of nutrients available to algae. If you overfeed your fish they will not only produce larger quantities of waste, but some of the fish food may accumulate in the substrate of your tank where it will begin to break down. Decaying plant matter and dead fish can also result in an increase in nitrogen and phosphorus in your tank. Installing a quality filtration system in your tank can help to control both solid and dissolved wastes which may help to keep aquarium algae growth at a minimum. The most effective way to decrease the amount of nutrients available to algae, however, is to add live plants to your tank. Live aquatic plants will natural compete with algae for nutrients and they will also benefit your tank by producing oxygen.

Carbon Dioxide

It has already been discussed that algae are photoautotrophic organisms which, like plants, gather energy from sunlight. Another similarity between algae and plants is that algae converts carbon dioxide into organic materials that other organisms can use for biological functions such as cell respiration. One of the products of this process is oxygen, though algae does not produce oxygen in the same quantity as plants. In some areas, tap water may contain a high CO2 content which could cause fluctuations in CO2 levels, and thus algae growth. Other factors such as the use of a CO2 injector may lead to higher levels of CO2 in your aquarium.

Water

It may seem obvious, but water is one of the most important things algae needs in order to survive. Not only do algae need water to live, but there are certain water conditions in which it is most likely to thrive. Algae tend to grow more quickly in warm water because the metabolic and reproductive rates of algae are increased at higher temperatures. In addition to the water temperature, the chemical content of the water can affect algae growth. Performing weekly water tests is a simple way to ensure that the chemical levels in your tank remain stable – a sudden spike could trigger algae growth. It is also wise to make weekly water changes of between 10% and 20% of the tank volume in order to keep the water quality in your tank high.

Additional Algae Tips

It is natural and healthy to have some level of algae growth in your aquarium because it can be a good supplemental food source for your fish. Herbivorous species of fish may especially benefit from algae growth in the tank because these fish tend to be grazers – they are likely to feed on algae growths continuously throughout the day. While it is a good idea to limit the amount of lighting and nutrients available in order to prevent aquarium algae blooms, do not try to completely rid your tank of algae by using a commercial algae-killer. These products may succeed in killing the algae in your tank, but they could also kill other microorganisms like the beneficial bacteria your tank needs in order to maintain the nitrogen cycle. Therefore, it is wise to avoid chemical treatments for aquarium algae whenever possible because you do not know how your fish are going to react and there could be long-term negative side effects.

How To Remedy An Algae Bloom In Freshwater Aquariums

It is not an uncommon occurrence for novice aquarium hobbyists to turn on the lights in their tank one day to find that the tank water has turned green overnight. Before you can hope to treat an algae bloom, of course, you need to …

An algae bloom is a rapid accumulation of algae in the aquarium. In this article, you’ll discover what causes an algae bloom and the remedies available to solve it.

It is not an uncommon occurrence for novice aquarium hobbyists to turn on the lights in their tank one day to find that the tank water has turned green overnight. In many cases, green aquarium water can be attributed to an algae bloom. Though algae blooms may go away on their own, they sometimes indicate a larger problem in the tank that needs to be addressed in order to protect the health of your fish. If your tank is experiencing an algae bloom, or if you simply want to prepare yourself for the possibility, there are a few basic things you need to know about identifying and remedying this condition. Before you can hope to treat an aquarium algae bloom, of course, you need to know what it is.

What is an Algae Bloom?

An algae bloom, also known as an algal bloom, is simply a rapid accumulation of algae in tank water. Algae blooms can affect both freshwater and marine tanks and, in most cases, the algae consist of cyanobacteria – though a single or small number of phytoplankton species may also be involved. The presence of phytoplankton often results in a green discoloration of tank water, though the color may also be red or yellowish brown depending on the species of algae. The most common cause of algae blooms is an excess of nutrients in the tank – particularly phosphorus, though excess carbon and nitrogen can also cause algae blooms. Because algae rely on phosphorus as a source of nutrition, higher phosphorus levels in a tank can lead to increased algae growth.

What Causes Algae Blooms?

It has already been mentioned that an excess of nutrients is the main cause of algae blooms in freshwater tanks, but there are a variety of ways in which this excess might be brought about. Overfeeding can result in a build-up of organic wastes in the substrate of the tank which may become a breeding ground for algae. Since live aquarium plants help to absorb excess nutrients, unplanted tanks may be more likely to experience algae blooms than tanks decorated with plenty of live plants. Algae blooms are also very common in new aquariums. In fact, the occurrence of an algae bloom is sometimes referred to as a symptom of “new tank syndrome” by experienced aquarium hobbyists. Before a colony of beneficial bacteria can be established in your tank to maintain the nitrogen cycle, the levels of ammonia and nitrate may be very high. In cases like this, the algae bloom will typically go away on its own once the parameters in the tank have stabilized.

How to Remedy an Algae Bloom

If the algae bloom in your tank is caused by an excess of nutrients or toxins, performing a large water change could help solve the problem. Even if you change 50% of the water in your tank, however, it could still take a few days for the green tint to dissipate. It is also wise to perform a water test in order to determine whether the chemistry of your tank water is abnormal. If it is, take the necessary steps to bring the abnormal level back to normal. In some cases, direct sunlight can cause excessive algae growth and remedying the condition can be as simple as moving the tank to a location where it receives less direct sunlight. If you are utilizing a high–intensity light bulb in your tank, consider lowering the wattage or reduce the number of hours you keep the lights on each day. Lights should be on no more than 10 – 12 hours a day. While there are chemical remedies for algae blooms available, these products are generally not recommended – particularly in tanks with live plants because they could harm the plants as well as killing off the algae. Some aquarium hobbyists recommend UV sterilization as a means of killing and preventing algae. UV sterilizers target microscopic organisms like algae and can provide a permanent solution for algae control in the home aquarium.

Tips for Preventing Algae Growth

The key to keeping algae growth at a minimum in your tank is to limit the amount of nutrients available for algae growth. Avoid overfeeding your fish so as to limit the build-up of organic wastes in the substrate of your tank. Adding live plants to your aquarium is a great way to limit algae growth because live plants will naturally compete with algae for nutrients. I always include live plants in my freshwater aquariums. Believe me, it will definitely make your life much easier. Here’s an absolute great selection of live plants for your freshwater setup.

Keeping the aquarium water clean through regular water changes and adequate filtration are also important for limiting algae growth. If the water quality in your tank declines, you are more likely to experience an increase in algae growth.

One of the easiest methods for effective aquarium algae control is to introduce one or more algae eaters into your tank. There are a variety of algae eaters available including invertebrates like freshwater snails as well as fish such as Otocinclus Catfish, Siamese Algae Eaters and Plecostomus. My secret weapon for controlloing algae in a freshwater aquarium is Nerite snails. Nerite snails work around the clock cleaning your aquarium. They will not eat your live plants and will not reproduce in freshwater – which prevents an over-population problem! Just remember, different species of algae eaters feed on different types of algae, so if you know your tank is prone to one particular type of algae growth, select an algae eater that tends to feed on that kind of algae.

7 Types Of Freshwater Aquarium Algae Explained

Aquarium algae growth usually points to a problem with water quality. In this article, you’ll learn the various types of aquarium algae and what you can do about algae in your aquarium.

It’s not uncommon for novice aquarium hobbyists to turn on the lights in their new aquarium to discover that aquarium algae has turned the water in their tank green. Green water is often a result of excess algae growth and it is commonly a sign that the tank has not been cycled properly. This is just one type of aquarium algae, however, and algae growth is not limited to new tanks. Throughout your life as an aquarium hobbyist you are likely to encounter a variety of different types of algae in your tank. Each type of algae looks slightly different and its growth may be brought about by different factors. The one thing most types of algae have in common is that their growth often points toward a problem with water quality. If your tank suffers from excess algae growth it would be wise to determine what kind of algae it is and to check your water parameters to see what caused the growth rate to increase.

Types of Aquarium Algae

Brown Algae – Brown algae, also called diatoms, tend to form in soft clumps on tank walls, substrate and aquarium décor. This type of algae grows in tanks where the nitrogen levels are low and phosphate levels are high. Brown algae also grows well in new tanks and aquariums with low lighting. Manual removal of this type of algae is easy and its growth can be controlled through the introduction of Siamese algae eaters, Otocinclus catfish or aquarium snails. Live aquarium plants can also be an effective means of controlling brown algae growth because they will compete with the algae for nutrients.

Blue/Green Algae – Technically, blue/green algae is not a type of algae at all – it is really cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria grow and reproduce quickly and they may spread rapidly across tank walls and other aquarium surfaces in the form of slimy, blue/green sheets. These growths can be removed easily by hand but if the original problem is not remedied, the rapid growth of cyanobacteria may eventually kill plants and fish.

Green Algae – This type of aquarium algae is most commonly seen in new tanks that are experiencing an algae bloom. Green unicellular algae are able to reproduce rapidly in tanks that are exposed to too much light and in tanks that have not been cycled properly. In these cases, large quantities of green algae can actually turn the water green and it may also form a film on tank walls. Though it can be easily wiped away, green algae may also go away on its own once the water parameters in the tank have stabilized.

Green Spot Algae – Green spot algae grows most heavily in tanks that are exposed to strong light. It also grows well in tanks with low levels of CO2 and Phosphate. This type of algae presents as thin, hard growths of green algae that grow on tank walls and slow-growing plants. Because it is so hard, it is not easy to remove this type of algae from the tank manually but it can be scraped off the glass with a razor blade if necessary. Algae eating fish are rarely successful in removing growths of green spot algae.

Thread Algae – This type of algae grows in individual threads that may be up to 30cm long. Thread algae tends to grow on leaf edges, often growing together with hair algae. The presence of this type of algae often indicates an excess of iron in tank water. Thread algae can easily be removed from the tank by winding the strands around a toothbrush to separate it from the surface to which it has become attached. Siamese algae eaters are one of the only species of algae eating fish known to target this type of algae in the freshwater tank.

Hair Algae – Hair algae is often light green or gray in color and it grows most often at the base of slow-growing live plants. Though it is similar in appearance to beard algae, hair algae has a coarser texture and forms matted clumps that do not move in the water current. Hair algae grows up to 4cm and can be removed manually by twirling it around a toothbrush. Many hobbyists do not mind the growth of this type of algae in their tanks because it is a nutritious supplemental food source for omnivorous species of fish.

Brush/Red Algae – This type of algae may look different in different types of aquariums. Though it may grow in either acidic or alkaline conditions, brush algae (also called red algae) tends to collect on slow-growing plants. Growths of brush algae may be up to 3mm long and it cannot be removed easily by hand. Siamese algae eaters are known to favor this type of algae, but if you do not have one of these fish, you can simply remove and discard the affected leaves of live plants.

Tips for Controlling Algae

The simplest way to control algae growth in your freshwater tank is to keep your tank clean. By performing regular water changes your tank will not only be cleaner and healthier, but the water parameters will remain stable. Tanks with stable water chemistry are less likely to see the spikes in nitrogen or phosphate levels that often precipitate increased algae growth. You can supplement regular water changes with a product I highly recommend called RE-FRESH by Dr. Tim’s Aquatics. It’s a potent combination of beneficial bacteria that works very well at maintaining clear water. It is also wise to keep your aquarium out of direct sunlight and to limit the amount of artificial light you are using in your tank. If you have a planted tank, it is recommended that you leave your lights on for only 10 to 12 hours per day – if you leave them on any longer you may struggle with excess algae in your tank.

In addition to keeping your aquarium clean and avoiding excess light, introducing an algae eater to your tank is another simple way to control aquarium algae. There are several species of algae eating fish available including Siamese algae eaters, Plecostomus, Otocinclus Catfish and Chinese algae eaters. Some species of shrimp and large snails can also serve as algae eaters in the freshwater aquarium. If you choose to introduce one of these creatures into your tank keep in mind that, while it may feed largely on aquarium algae growths, you may need to supplement its diet with algae wafers and fresh vegetables.